Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that “the aggression committed by the Belarusian services in Japan should meet with strong opposition from the international community.” The Prime Minister assured that Poland, if necessary, would provide Kryscina Cimanouska with the possibility of continuing her career.
In his Facebook post, the head of the Polish government recalled a spot from a few months ago, in which a group of Polish sportsmen supported Belarusians protesting against the rigged elections and the wave of persecution. “We did not think then that the need for solidarity with Belarusian athletes would return during the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The bandit attempt to kidnap the athlete, who is critical of the Belarusian regime, met with an immediate reaction from the Japanese police and Polish diplomacy,” wrote Mateusz on his Facebook profile. Morawiecki.
“We have provided Kristina Timanowska (original spelling – ed.) With security at the Polish embassy in Tokyo, and, if necessary, we will also provide her with the possibility of continuing her career. Aggression committed by the Belarusian services in Japan during the Olympic Games, which are, after all, a symbol of peace and fair play, it should meet with strong opposition from the international community, “added the Prime Minister.
Declaration by Minister Gliński
A similar declaration – ensuring the possibility of continuing a sports career – was made on Twitter by the Minister of Culture, National Heritage and Sport, Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Gliński.
He stated that the ministry he was managing, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “would provide Kryscina Cimanouska with appropriate conditions for her stay and continued her sports career in one of our sports centers from the moment she arrived in Poland.”
Cimanouska received a Polish visa
Belarusian athlete Kryscina Cimanouska announced on Sunday that due to criticism of the actions of her country’s sports authorities, she was removed from participation in the Olympics, and officials tried to force her to fly to Belarus via Istanbul.
On Monday, a runner who reported to the airport police the day before and, as a result, did not fly out of Tokyo, received at the Polish Embassy Polish humanitarian visa. Polish diplomats offered her protection and assistance in traveling to Poland. On Sunday in Tokyo, she was helped by employees of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the matter was dealt with by the IOC.
Cimanouska is due to arrive in Poland on Wednesday. The time of her arrival has not yet been announced for security reasons.
Main photo source: PAP / Radek Pietruszka